Mangaluru: Governor Vajubhai Vala on Monday commissioned two Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) of the Indian Coast Guards at Panambur in Mangaluru.

These two 21-meter long ACVs based in Mangaluru, which move on land and sea, will be used for surveillance as well as search and rescue operations on the 320-km long Karnataka coastline.

These ACVs move at a speed of 45 knots (90 km per hour). Each vessel will have 13 personnel. These ACVs are armed with heavy machine guns, radar and satellite communication system that are suited for high speed interception, close coast patrol and low intensity maritime operations.

In his speech, Vala said these vessels will be very useful to combat terrorists who enter through the sea route. It will also protect our fishermen during emergency and to provide guidelines to them.

Inspector General and Commander of Coast Guards (Western Region) S.P.S Basra appealed to the State government to expedite the process of handing over land in Karwar to support the ACVs to operate freely and help fishermen in distress.

IG SPS Basra, YSM, PTM, TM Commander Coast Region (West) presented his key note address.

Rajamani Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of Indian Coast Guard and Commander of Coast Guard,of Karnataka, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Moideen Bhava, Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim, Police Commissioner R Hitendra, ZP CEO Tulasi Maddineni and others were present.

Hovercraft H-196

The 21 Mtrs long ACV with 31 tons of displacement can achieve maximum speed of 45 knots (90KMPH). It is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and rendering assistance to small boats/craft’s etc at sea.

The hovercraft is commanded by Commandant Gulvinder Singh and is fully armed with heavy machine guns and state-of-art communication and navigation equipment including radar and worldwide satellite communication.

Hovercraft H-198

ACV H-198 is assigned to strengthen the coastal security along the Karnataka coast. The 21 metres long ACV with 31 tons of displacement can achieve maximum speed of 52 knots is lead by A Banarjee, Coast Guards Commandant with 11 other crew members who are trained in London.

The UK made ACV is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and rendering assistance to small boats/crafts etc at sea where ships do not go.